A piston capable of reducing undesirable “knock,” reducing hydrocarbon emissions, and providing more complete combustion, is provided. The piston includes a multilayer coating having a thickness of 500 microns or less disposed on an upper combustion surface. The coating includes a bond layer including nickel disposed on the upper combustion surface. A thermal barrier layer including a ceramic composition is disposed on the bond layer. A sealant layer formed of metal is disposed on the thermal barrier layer. A catalytic layer including at least one of platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, and iridium is disposed on the sealant layer. The catalytic layer can be disposed on select regions or the entire upper combustion surface to promote combustion through a catalyzed reaction.